A short drive from Fort Portal, Karambi Royal Tombs is the resting place of several Omukamas of Tooro, including Kaboyo Kasusunkwanzi, the prince who broke away from Bunyoro around 1830 to found the Tooro Kingdom. For a kingdom whose story is defined by that founding act, Karambi is close to its historical root.
Burial Ground of the Tooro Omukamas
Kaboyo Kasusunkwanzi's decision to break from his father Kyebambe III of Bunyoro and establish an independent Tooro Kingdom is the founding event of Tooro history, and his tomb at Karambi anchors that story in a physical place. Later Omukamas are buried alongside him, making the site a chronological record of the kingdom's royal line.
What to See & Do
The tombs are built in traditional grass-thatched royal architecture, similar in style to Bunyoro's Mparo Tombs, and site custodians guide visitors through the succession of Omukamas buried there and the story of the kingdom's founding and later restoration in 1993. It is a compact, focused visit best paired with the Tooro Royal Palace for the fuller arc of the kingdom's history.
Best Time to Visit
Karambi is accessible year-round. Weekday visits tend to be quieter, giving more time for a fuller telling of the Tooro succession from the site custodians.
Getting There
The tombs lie about 6km from Fort Portal town centre, an easy addition to a day that also includes Karuzika Palace and Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru Caves.
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